Batman Confidential #13 (Spoilers/Discussion)

[Alexx1]

Great set-up issue for the arc. Nothing too, too specific given to you. But everything's right on the surface like it's about to explode at any given minute. Each page builds on anticipation and you want to know who this Wrath character is and whose his real targets and why. If Tony was ever meant to write a story it feels like this ones the right one. Rags does a good job at showing the characters emotions, whether in this case it's Gordon's worry, Bat's disbelief, Wrath's seething rage, or the palpable tension between Bats and Nightwing (must check out Nightwing's Elvis costume), and Alfred really not wanting to be caught in the middle of that, just AWESOME stuff. This is a must have book. It felt like a vintage Batman story. I hope Batman fans will give the first issue a try. Seems like this title is finally hitting it's stride and moving in the right direction.

[Shadow ES]

I hated the first Confidential arc, loved the second, and I'm waiting to see which this arc is most like before I buy any of it. I flipped through and it looked ok, until I saw Nightwing. I thought these were all supposed to be early Bat stories?

[Alexx1]

I hated the first Confidential arc, loved the second, and I'm waiting to see which this arc is most like before I buy any of it. I flipped through and it looked ok, until I saw Nightwing. I thought these were all supposed to be early Bat stories?

It is an earlier Batman story. Notice Nightwing is in his old costume. According to Rags, this story takes place about five years after Batman and Wrath first encounter.

It's also interesting, WRATH says "COPS are a superstitious and cowardly lot". And, BATMAN says, "Criminals , are by nature are a cowardly and superstitious lot". It's fascinating they'd share the exact feelings and yet where they project and place those feelings is two opposite ends of the spectrum, Cops and Criminals.

[Wayne]

Does this Wrath guy has appearred before?
Looks to me like silver age stuff retaken in this arc...

[Captain Jim]

Does this Wrath guy has appearred before?
Looks to me like silver age stuff retaken in this arc...

Batman Special #1, 1984. Nope, not silver age.

http://members.surfbest.net/argentium@surfbest.net/batspec.jpg

[Batman was taken]

And he was just on last weeks (two weeks ago?) episode of The Batman.

... Just throwing that one out there...

[Redgiemental]

I have just started getting back into comics in general. I picked up some comics that looked good in a comic book store last week.This was one of them.

I loved it! It feels like it just continues on from around where I left off. It's also shaping up to being a very intriguing story. The tension between Nightwing and Batman was done very well and the assassin should be very interesting indeed.

I like the art style dark, gritty, realistic all things Batman should be.

I think I'll make this will be my first subscription since coming back.

[Captain Jim]

I have just started getting back into comics in general. I picked up some comics that looked good in a comic book store last week.This was one of them.

I loved it! It feels like it just continues on from around where I left off. It's also shaping up to being a very intriguing story. The tension between Nightwing and Batman was done very well and the assassin should be very interesting indeed.

I like the art style dark, gritty, realistic all things Batman should be.

I think I'll make this will be my first subscription since coming back.

Not trying to dissuade you, but you should know that each story arc is by a different writer and artist, and each story may be from a different era. Just so you know.

(Learn about the next arc here (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=9315).)

[Agent_Torpor]

Not bad, but reading this right after Morrison's #674 issue, I felt a serious letdown in story and pacing.

[blckng]

Easily the best work I've seen Bedard to so far. Doesn't hurt that we get Rags doing the disco suit Nightwing. The only thing that bothers me is that I can't nail down when this takes place. Dick is Nightwing, but we don't see Jason anywhere, and it's fairly obvious that Alfred wasn't getting food for anyone else, as that's what clued Bruce in that something was up. But they didn't seem anywhere near as sad as they should have been, if this took place after Jason's death.

Doesn't really matter. I'll just assume this is after Jason, after Dick found out, and before Tim showed up.

[Redgiemental]

Aw I didn't realise that Jim. I feel a bit embarassed of my lack of knowledge now. I guess I'll see how the book goes for me. I'm still very interested in this arc, though I can't bring myself to care that much about Batgirl so the next arc might not be my thing.

Out of the current Batman books which would you recommend?

[Captain Jim]

Aw I didn't realise that Jim. I feel a bit embarassed of my lack of knowledge now. I guess I'll see how the book goes for me. I'm still very interested in this arc, though I can't bring myself to care that much about Batgirl so the next arc might not be my thing.

No reason to feel embarrassed; how would you know? That's why we're here. :)

Out of the current Batman books which would you recommend?

That's a tough one. Are you looking for Batman specifically, as opposed to one of the supporting cast? Many love Grant Morrison's work on the "Batman" title, but it's more than a little daunting to jump into mid-stream. Others prefer Detective, which is mostly one-shots, a lot of them by Paul Dini, who is a favorite of many. Quite frankly, neither of these is among my favorite titles at the moment.

I do like Confidential quite often, but take it an arc at a time.

My own personal favorites are probably among the supporting characters' titles right now. Catwoman is excellent, and I'm expecting Chuck Dixon's return to Robin to be very good as well (but it's probably too soon to say). The jury's still out on Nightwing at the moment, but it definitely looks promising.

Others will doubtless give you their own thoughts.

[Redgiemental]

I don't think I want to get in the middle of a longish run at the moment. Though I'm not against going back and picking up from the start in trade and taking it from there if I like it. So I think thats probably an option thought maybe not right now.

I'm personally not as much into comics that are mostly one shots. I prefer longer more involving story lines myself. So perhaps Detective isn't for me. I'll maybe browse through a couple in the comic book store just to have a look though. Giving it a chance couldn't hurt.

i think I will tak Confidential an arc at a time as you suggest. The one starting in issue 17 doesn't look like my thing. The next one after that might be though.

I'll have a look at the supporting cast ones too see if anything clicks with me.

I vaguely remember hearing about a serise that based in Gotham but doesn't directly involve Batman or any of the sidekicks mainly just ordinary people?

Am I imaging things? or does/did this exist?

Thank you for your help Jim

[Captain Jim]

I vaguely remember hearing about a serise that based in Gotham but doesn't directly involve Batman or any of the sidekicks mainly just ordinary people?

Am I imaging things? or does/did this exist?


Could you be thinking of Gotham Central? That excellent (but now discontinued) series was about the Gotham PD.

[ANewHope]

I posted this in another thread. What's interesting to note, is that I didnt bother to mention Batman confidential, when it came to recommending this title to new fans.

Definitely read the start of Grant Morrisons run's in Batman 655-658. Also, the most recent storyline in Batman, was the reason why Grant Morrison was brought to Batman. So the status of Batman is going to be radically altered in the next coming monthes.


I'd also recommend all star Batman and the Boy Wonder. You'll either absolutely love it, or hate it. But i'm loving it.

Also, Paul Dini has done such a great job with Detective Comics. Most of his stories are self contained to one comic book, you'll really get alot of character development and action in just 22 pages. At most, you'll have 2 part storylines.

[SpaceBooger]

A little recap of the 1984 Batman Special (which is reprinted in Batman in the Eighties) can be found here:
http://www.spacebooger.com/index.php/2008/02/28/confidential-flashback-batman-special-1984/

[earl]

This was a pretty good setup issue, I hope they come through.

The original Wrath story by Mike Barr and Mike Golden is definitely worth tracking down and giving a read. The back issue isn't too expensive if you can find a copy.